England boss sees star’s transfer as a boost

England manager Roy Hodgson believes that Rickie Lambert’s move to Liverpool will boost his side’s hopes heading into the World Cup.

The Southampton ace passed a medical with the Merseyside club on Saturday shortly after the Three Lions’ win against Peru, and looks set to officially sealed a surprise £4m return to his boyhood team last night.

Lambert is one of Hodgson’s strikers for the World Cup on the back of his impressive displays for the Saints over the course of the past few seasons, yet there have been rumours that the former Fulham chief is annoyed that a few of his players are involved in transfer talks in the run-up to the tournament.

However, he says that he’s happy to see the 32-year-old switch to Liverpool, and that the spring in his step from the move may help his side’s hopes heading into this summer:

“I congratulate him. And I congratulate Liverpool signing a good player,” he is quoted by Sky Sports.

“When he plays you will see a fella running around with all the joy that his heart can muster because he is very happy to be with England and he’s very happy that the move to Liverpool has gone through.”